ROSEMOUNT 21, PRIOR LAKE 0

Locking up a share of a conference title after only two games? Rosemount believes its victory did just that. With Lakeville North not on their schedule, the host Irish sought to take the lead against Prior Lake in the South Suburban Conference championship chase.

"We were thinking this was for the title," Rosemount senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann said after his team's shutout of the Lakers. "This was the biggest game of the season right now."

Behind Erdmann, who threw three touchdown passes 25 yards or longer, the Irish offense maintained its dynamic form against Prior Lake. Rosemount's 14-0 first-half lead provided a strategic lift.

"We were pretty aggressive early because we wanted to get up and force them to maybe not run as much," Irish coach Jeff Erdmann said.

A Rosemount defense gutted by graduation recovered three fumble in earning a shutout.

Key of the game: After the Rosemount defense recovered one of those Prior Lake fumbles, the Irish offense made it hurt. Erdmann's third touchdown pass — his second to senior receiver Tyler Hartigan — pushed Rosemount's lead to 21-0.

Despite being closely covered, Rosemount’s Tyler Hartigan caught his second touchdown pass. It gave the Irish a 21-0 lead over Prior Lake in the third quarter.

Quote: "He doesn't have free rein." — Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann on his son and quarterback, Jackson. He appeared to change the play at the line of scrimmage before throwing his third touchdown pass. But he was just changing the blocking scheme.

One thing to know: Prior Lake, a large-school state tournament entrant two of the past three seasons, did not quit. Alex Hart intercepted a pass at the goal line before halftime. And his defensive mates kept consistent pressure on Erdmann.

David La Vaque